South America, Ecuador, Chimborazo Traverse and Other Ecuadorian Ascents

Chimborazo Traverse and Other Ecuadorian Ascents. Six members of Cumbres Andinas, Quito, made between November 1 and 4, 1979, the first complete traverse of Chimborazo. The group, led by M. Jácome, placed a camp on a rocky platform between the Reiss and Spruce glaciers (north side of Chimborazo) and took a southwest direction to traverse toward the Whymper Hut. A bivouac some 1000 feet below the main summit was necessary. Between late December 1980 and early January 1981, Ecuadorians made the fourth ascent of Canónigo (5260 meters, 17,257 feet) and the second and third of Fraile Grande (5200 meters, 17,061 feet), in the Altar massif. Leader of the group of six was M. Reinoso. On March 14 a new hut was inaugurated at the base of Cayambe’s southwest Hermoso Glacier. It was located at 4600 meters (15,092 feet) and has a capacity for 42 visitors. At 5789 meters (18,993 feet), Cayambe is the third highest mountain in Ecuador (Information from both Montaña and Andinismo, Quito).